INTRODUCTION:

Few topics of biblical teaching have stirred the emotions and the minds of believers as has the topic of 
        the “role of women” in the church.
 1. Several indications of this stirring are present.
  a. Some “feminists” insist that all “androcentric” language,  such as God being 
   addressed as “he,” must be removed.  Thus, God is not called “Father,” but some 
   say He is to be called “Mother.”
  b. Others tell us that women are to be accorded equal  4places of leadership and public 
   activity as would men.  Thus, women may serve as song leaders, preachers,     deacons, possibly even elders.
  c. Still others say a woman may lead singing, read scripture, testify, teach “sub-groups”
                                           of men and women, etc.  The only restrictions are:  She cannot serve as an elder and    must not “direct the congregation's plenary sessions of prayer and teaching the
   word” (Wineskins, May, 1993, p. 7. )
  d. The traditional stance of churches of Christ has been:
   (1) Women and men are fully and properly to become
     Christians in and by obedience to the gospel.
   (2) Women serve in valuable ways in the life of the 
    church as teachers, helpers, etc.
   (3) But, God has enjoined that men are to fill the 
    public roles of teaching, preaching, presiding, etc., 
    in the public worship of the Church.
 2. This diversity cries out for some resolution.
  a. The various positions have been argued in print and the sources for study are available.
  b. Surely, not all of them can be correct.
  c. What, then, is one to make of each and all of these?  How will the decision be reached?
 3. The present study will maintain the fourth position, noting that  in terms of salvation women and
  men are equal, but in public worship they are different.
Study, then, some Bible principles which inform us in these matters.
 

DISCUSSION:

BIBLE PASSAGES INDICATE THAT WOMEN HAVE FULL AND EQUAL ACCESS TO GOD IN
       CHRIST TO BE SAVED; AS CHRISTIANS THEY DID AND DO RENDER A MOST VALUABLE
       SERVICE. 

 A. The preaching of Phillip (Acts 8:5-12).
  1. The same message was preached to all (v. 5).
  2. The same evidence was given to prove the words preached to be true (vv. 6,7).
  3. The same content was proclaimed to all (v. 12).
   a. “The things” had to do with the content of the preaching.
   b. The name of Christ was upheld.
   c. The kingdom of God was proclaimed. 
  4. Accordingly, both men and women were baptized.
 B. The declaration of Paul (Galatians 3:26-29).
  1. The chapter discusses the need of the Galatians to be loyal to Christ.
   Cf. v. 1 - They were bewitched so they were in danger of not obeying the truth.
  2. God promised salvation to all nations through Abraham’s seed, Christ (v. 8).
3. Christ is the seed in and through whom this promise is fulfilled (v. 16).
  4. The Old Testament has been fulfilled in bringing men to Christ (vv. 24,25).
  5. The conclusion is:  All are children of God in Christ (v. 26).
  6. The reason:  All were baptized into Him (v. 27; cf. Acts 8:12).
  7. All people have full and equal access to this salvation (v.28).
  8. The promise fulfilled means all are heirs (v. 29).
  9. The context is clear.  Men and women, Jew or Gentile, bond or free, all can be saved
                                 in Christ by the gospel.
  10. To turn this verse into the view that men and women are not different in any respect,
   particularly in reference to leadership roles in Church life, is not only uncalled for,    but is in direct conflict with the context.
 C. The instructions and examples concerning women in the New  Testament.
  1. Instructions.
   a. Titus 2:3,4.
   b. I Timothy 5:14.
  2. Examples.
   a. Phebe (Romans 16:1,2).
   b. Priscilla and Aquila (Romans 16:3-5).
   c. Philippians 4:1-3.
   d. I Timothy 5:9,10.
 D. Conclusion:  In becoming Christians, both men and women have equal opportunity and 
  welcome.  Women serve in many important ways in the life and work of the Church.  In this
  way, all are equal.

BIBLE PASSAGES ALSO INDICATE THAT SOME ROLES ARE SUCH THAT MEN HAVE ONE
       AND WOMEN HAVE THE OTHER.  IN THIS WAY, MEN AND WOMEN, IN THESE AREAS, ARE 
       DIFFERENT.  NOTE INDICATIONS OF THIS.

 A. In the headship in the home.
  1. There is a “hierarchy” of role relationship (I Corinthians 11:3).
  2. Men are to serve as the head of the home.
   a. Declarations.
    (1) Ephesians 5:23,24.
    (2) I Peter 3:1,2.
   b. Tempering of relation with love.
    (1) Ephesians 5:23,28,33.
    (2) Colossians 3:19.
  3. Women are to be in submission in the home to their husbands.
   a. Ephesians 5:22,33.
   b. Colossians 3:18.
  4. In this, there is a difference.
 B. In leadership roles in the Church.
  1. Obviously, no woman could be the husband of  one wife, and thus 
   not an elder (I Timothy 3:2).
  2. Women are not to teach “over” the men, not to “usurp” authority 
    over men (I Timothy 2:12).
   a. Verse is in context of what is right in the life and
     work of the Church (I Timothy 3:15).
   b. Verse 8 - Translations about prayer.
   c. Verse 11 - To learn in silence.
   d. Verse 12 - Not “permit.”
   e. Verse 12 - Teach and “usurp” authority “over” man.
   f. “Usurp.”
  3. Other verses can be noted (I Corinthians 14:34,35), but this passage is decisive.
  4. In the public leadership roles God has given instructions which are different for  the man and for the woman.
  5. These differences are to be respected.

CONCLUSION:

The subject is an extensive one; by no means all aspects have been exhausted in this discussion.  But, these 
principles are clear.

A.    Men and women have equal access to God in Christ.
Men and women have different leadership roles in the public, mixed male and female, work of the
       Church.
C.    In love to God and in Christian love to all and each other, these  truths should be:
 1. Known.
 2. Observed.
 3. Cherished.
By so doing, God will be served right.
 
 

         William Woodson
         David Lipscomb University
        3811 Harding Place
         Nashville, TN 37215